Commemorating Wasif Ali Wasif

“At Carrefour of life, one man who can guide you is Wasif Ali Wasif.” This tribute was paid to late Wasif Ali Wasif by Qudratullah Shahab. A poet, writer, teacher and Sufi, Wasif Ali Wasif is being commemorated for three days at the eve of his Urs. The remembrances began yesterday at his shrine in Miani Sahib Graveyard at Bahawalpur road. He passed the civil service exam in 1954 but refused to join and opted teaching as a profession which he continued till his death in 1993. His Urs is celebrated every year from Rajab 22 to 24. Wasif has a diverse following ranging from high judiciary to vendors. One of his followers, Government College University (GCU) Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed titled him Sheikh Saadi of present times. He said Wasif’s writings were eye-opening but his conversations were even more deeply thought out. “We have forgotten to visit graveyards but his Urs every year attracts hundreds to Miani Sahib Graveyard where great people have been buried. This way Wasif becomes a source for remembrance of many,” he added. As a tradition, a seminar will be held at Alhamra today (Sunday), presided by former chief justice Lahore High Court Khwaja Sharif. Many renowned personalities will address the seminar including veteran journalist Mujeebur Rehman Shami and writer Ashghar Nadeem Syed. Another talk on sufi poetry and music is also arranged by Hast-o-Neest in connection with Wasif’s Urs. The Urs celebrations will end on Monday with qawwali performances at Wasif’s shrine. His thought was more on mysticism, spirituality and humanity and he has left over 35 books to his credit including “Dil Darya Sumender”, “Kiran Kiran Soraj”, “Haraf Haraf Haqiqat”, “Katra Katra Kulzum” and “Shab-e-Chiragh”.